{"id":235825,"date":"2025-09-18T07:28:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T07:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/235825\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T07:28:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T07:28:11","slug":"he-was-ready-to-hurt-someone-large-gator-approaching-people-and-pets-in-popular-swimming-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/235825\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018He was ready to hurt someone:\u2019 Large gator approaching people and pets in popular swimming area"},"content":{"rendered":"

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 Howell Creek flows right under the Cross Seminole Trail near Tuscora Drive in Winter Springs. Beneath the bridge, there\u2019s a rope swing \u2014 a popular place for kids to jump into the water. <\/p>\n

Noel Keller says that\u2019s where a large gator lunged towards him and his dogs this week. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was actually hiking down to the mouth of the creek into Lake Jesup with my dogs, and I didn\u2019t let them go in the water because I know there\u2019s a lot of gators around here. So, I came back and I was like, \u2018man, I\u2019m hot. I\u2019m going to take a dip in the creek that I always go to,\u201d said Keller. \u201cAs soon as I step in the water, this gator – probably nine foot – just darts out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Keller said it was probably half a foot away from him at the time. He said the animal was \u201csuper aggressive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was there for a reason, you know,\u201d said Keller. \u201cIt knows there\u2019s probably been kids there or whatever, and it was hunting, you know, pets and stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keller told our News 6 crew he was born and raised in Florida, and he\u2019s had his share of encounters with alligators, but this was the biggest one he\u2019s seen. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was ready to hurt someone, for sure,\u201d said Keller.<\/p>\n

Keller took a video and some pictures of the animal with his cell phone. The images were posted to social media, and word is already spreading online to be alert in the area. <\/p>\n

Two years ago, a 13-year-old boy told News 6 an alligator bit his hip<\/a> while he was visiting the same spot with his little brother. <\/p>\n

\u201cI just felt a tug on me, and I already knew what it was from the start,\u201d Gabriel Klimis told News 6 in 2023. \u201cI just slapped the water and started, like, trying to push him off of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

When our News 6 team visited the area Wednesday, we noticed a flyer for an 84-pound husky mix that went missing Sunday. It said the dog was an \u201cexcellent swimmer\u201d and disappeared shortly after they arrived at the swimming hole. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou just have to be extra cautious,\u201d said one man who was walking the trail Wednesday. \u201cIt\u2019s just part of living in Central Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keller said this alligator got too close for comfort. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely shocked me,\u201d said Keller. \u201cYou\u2019re in their territory. I mean, you go to know that being in Florida. Every time I take my dogs to the creek I\u2019m ready to jump in the water and wrestle a gator. Not that I want to, just because I know that\u2019s a risk. My dog could get bitten. I\u2019m responsible for it. So, I mean, if you\u2019re a kid you always got to be responsible. Have fun, but just always know that there could be something in that water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howell Creek feeds right into Lake Jesup on the other side of S.R. 434. The lake is home to over 13,000 alligators<\/a>, according to estimates from wildlife officials. <\/p>\n

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourages anyone who is concerned about an alligator to call the toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286)<\/a>. FWC says generally, an alligator is deemed a nuisance if it is at least 4 feet in length and the caller believes it poses a threat to people, pets or property. <\/p>\n

The FWC also offers the following precautionary measures near alligators, including in or near the water, to reduce the chances of conflicts:<\/p>\n